AMC is a movie theater... AKM would be the big dog at CHK.

[/soapbox]

Any talk of a salon or spa going in Classen Curve?

We visited OKC this past weekend for my nephew's graduation from Putnam City. I made a point to drive by Classen Curve. My original opinion is unchanged: it looks like an urban transit center/train station a la DART in Dallas. The tenants may be cool and congrats on having some new restaurants and clubs, but curb appeal is minimal. Contemporary architecture can be more than just Bauhaus or Tuscany. Parking looks like it will be a big pain in the ass too.

Everybody has their own opinion. Mine is that in 5-10 years it will be appreciated. Many in OKC are not accepting of other than traditional architecture and construction. We talk about diversity, but criticize anything but the same-old, same-old. This center is aiming for a different demographic that is a little more accepting of trying something new.

I agree completely, Rover. I think it would also be appreciated more if it were another block wide so that it looked more like an open air shopping center. Maybe that is ultimately in the plans. But I also think once that whole area is developed people will be more impressed. I heard Aubrey just bought the Possim Creek building, so now he owns the entire block.

There actually are "coming soon" banners inside the development. Saw 'em today.

Which ones, looks like they took them down? Drove thru it twice and I suppose I could have missed them... Just went thru Sunday afternoon and didn't see a single coming soon banner throughout the development. There was the Coming Soon signs for Whole Foods but that isn't in Classen Circle and they haven't even built the building on that yet. The only occupied/open places were Red Coyote, 105 Degrees & Republic

Uppercrust Pizza. Coming soon.

Everybody has their own opinion. Mine is that in 5-10 years it will be appreciated. Many in OKC are not accepting of other than traditional architecture and construction. We talk about diversity, but criticize anything but the same-old, same-old. This center is aiming for a different demographic that is a little more accepting of trying something new.

How do you know what my demographic is? And Bauhaus, which is what that reminds me of, is from the 1920's, considered "modern" then.

Apparently you are of the demographic that doesn't like this type of architecture. There are probably others of you too. I doubt you shop at Balliets or eat at Republic either just judging superficially from your avatar. Not everyone likes ipads either, but they are still cool.

That's what's great about America. Everyone has the right to their own likes and dislikes. If you don't like it, don't go there. My guess is that there will be plenty who do frequent there to make it a success. And after it matures and fills and is surrounded by things like Whole Foods it will be a lot more accepted and understood than it is now.

And I don't think Tuscany is modern architecture nor is Bauhaus which was pre-world war II. The CC style is much sleeker than Bauhaus but in the sense it features space over mass, perhaps there is some similarity. I do think the elongated spaces and long walking paths along sleek buildings of glass fronts that allow you the ultimate window shopping will be an interesting area to walk. When the plants mature and the stores and restaurants fill the area, I think the ability to see all the life in the buildings will be be very nice. Most other shops are hidden behind small frontage windows while these expose all the shop has to offer, as well as displaying the activity going on within. This will be max experience for the shopping voyeur. I would guess that is what Rand had in mind...and it will work that way.

Uppercrust Pizza. Coming soon.

Where is it going to be at? Like I said I must have missed it since I didn't see a single banner or sign

Upper Crust has a massive sign on the first building on the east side of Classen Curve.

it looks like an urban transit center/train station a la DART in Dallas.

I know you're trying to insult it, but from my perspective coming at it from the opposite direction as you are, I see this as an undeserved compliment you just gave the development.

Ironic.


Larry, Uptown Kids also has a "coming soon" banner inside. You gotta go inside the development and drive the length of its parking on the inside.

Like I said, I drove the length (inside the development 2 times and didn't see anything)...will try to get buy there again and take another look

Not a slam against Classen Curve and think it will be great once stores actually start opening. Just think they need to be more active in promoting what is coming instead of empty store front after store front (most that I saw were still bare metal studs). Driving thru reminded me of the bare, lifeless corporate plazas that have been mentioned in these threads.

In contrast to what I saw at C.C., there was prominent exposure given the Whole Foods site and that is how far away from opening? They haven't even broken ground on the building yet?

Before these threads, I thought C.C. was an office complex and not retail. Again, there needs to be something on the outside that will get the attention of the passing motorist. IMO

And Bauhaus, which is what that reminds me of, is from the 1920's, considered "modern" then.

And I don't think Tuscany is modern architecture nor is Bauhaus which was pre-world war II.
Though the Bauhaus style no longer fits the dictionary definition of "modern" it was an important part of the modernism movement, so that term is appropriate.

I've just heard that On A Whim will be moving to Classen Curve, which will be a great tenant for them. Still, none of the retail stores are the kind which will stay open in the evening, and that's going to pretty much shoot down any chance of an Anthropologie there.

I've just heard that On A Whim will be moving to Classen Curve, which will be a great tenant for them. Still, none of the retail stores are the kind which will stay open in the evening, and that's going to pretty much shoot down any chance of an Anthropologie there.

Retailers will be open later than most and also open on Sundays, once The Curve has more tenants. On a Whim will do great here.

Like I said, I drove the length (inside the development 2 times and didn't see anything)...will try to get buy there again and take another look

Not a slam against Classen Curve and think it will be great once stores actually start opening. Just think they need to be more active in promoting what is coming instead of empty store front after store front (most that I saw were still bare metal studs). Driving thru reminded me of the bare, lifeless corporate plazas that have been mentioned in these threads.

In contrast to what I saw at C.C., there was prominent exposure given the Whole Foods site and that is how far away from opening? They haven't even broken ground on the building yet?

Before these threads, I thought C.C. was an office complex and not retail. Again, there needs to be something on the outside that will get the attention of the passing motorist. IMO

Whole Foods has name recognition that Classen Curve tenants, save for Balliet's, don't have.

Upper Crust has a massive sign on the first building on the east side of Classen Curve.

I did miss it because the sign is not in the development. It is on the corner of the intersection). Great spot for it but I entered into the development from the Belle Isle end.


Whole Foods has name recognition that Classen Curve tenants, save for Balliet's, don't have.

So they don't need to promote themselves?

I drove thru again and it took the 3rd time thru before I found the sign for the Uptown Kids. I was looking for it and it was still hard to find. It is a relatively small sign inside the store. What I am talking about needing is:

1) LARGE (at least 3 ft x 8 ft banners) across the store fronts.
2) At EACH entrance (on a sign similar in size to the Now Leasing one) a Coming Soon with the logos of each of the announced businesses (list courtesy of metro)

Balliets
Cafe 501
Upper Crust Wood Fired Pizza
Winter House Interiors
Metro Shoes
Uptown Kids

Can be added to as more leases are signed and updated with Now Open

The duplication may seem redundant but given the unique nature of the Classen Curve, the store fronts are hidden from the street. You have to have something that is gong to draw people in or the only business they will get is from those that already know they are there.

These businesses aren't like Walmart, where they could hide one in the Underground and people would find it quickly. Walmart doesn't even care anymore if there location is hidden by other businesses. They know people will find them. Read somewhere they get those other businesses that hide their property to essentially pay for the Wal-Mart property. Wal-Mart buys the frontage property then turns around and either sells it or leases it to those other businesses.

As much as the City wants to make Bricktown a 24/7 destination, think they needed to convince Wal-Mart to build a Ultra Super Center down there (with the appropriate aesthetic guidelines) and put the Bass Pro inside it as the Sporting Goods dept. Wal-Mart has no problem with turning over their space as long as they can make a buck off it. it could even be designed to lotaly avoid the "big box" appearance and have individual store front facades for the individual departments.

As much as the City wants to make Bricktown a 24/7 destination, think they needed to convince Wal-Mart to build a Ultra Super Center down there (with the appropriate aesthetic guidelines) and put the Bass Pro inside it as the Sporting Goods dept. Wal-Mart has no problem with turning over their space as long as they can make a buck off it. it could even be designed to lotaly avoid the "big box" appearance and have individual store front facades for the individual departments.

What's up with all the bricktown walmart talk lately? that would be so horrible!!!:doh:

Another Wal-Mart hater?

I'm definitely a Walmart hater, and I don't think it belongs in Bricktown. I don't even care if I have to give up a supermarket to say that. It absolutely represents the opposite of anything we want anywhere near downtown. Not really bad architechtural design, but rather the absence of anything we could remotely call design, massive, barren parking lot. You could not disguise it, and, we don't really have the population to support it downtown anyway. People go to Bricktown to be entertained or fed, and they'd probably love it if they could also shop when they're there, but not for staples, cheap clothing or whatever it is you buy there. I don't even want a Target in Bricktown, even though I like Target much better than Walmart. I could see a Target on the west side of downtown, but not in Bricktown.

I'm definitely a Walmart hater, and I don't think it belongs in Bricktown. I don't even care if I have to give up a supermarket to say that. It absolutely represents the opposite of anything we want anywhere near downtown. Not really bad architechtural design, but rather the absence of anything we could remotely call design, massive, barren parking lot. You could not disguise it, and, we don't really have the population to support it downtown anyway. People go to Bricktown to be entertained or fed, and they'd probably love it if they could also shop when they're there, but not for staples, cheap clothing or whatever it is you buy there. I don't even want a Target in Bricktown, even though I like Target much better than Walmart. I could see a Target on the west side of downtown, but not in Bricktown.

Wow. Not that much different than what we have with Bass Pro?

Yeah, I don't particularly like Bass Pro either. But, the difference between Bass Pro and Walmart is that Bass Pro offers something unique that you can't find in your hometown or even out in the suburbs. That's the only thing that makes it vaguely palatable, IMO.

Uptown kids is a high-end children’s store specializing in clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture for the elite of Oklahoma. We carry only the most exclusive, fashion-forward, and trendy items desired. The shop is designed by (Rand Elliott) one of the most well acclaimed architects and interior designers in the midwest. Uptown kids will provide an atmosphere catering to mothers, grandmothers and children who are looking for the most enjoyable shopping experience of their lives.

Welcome to the board, but do you get a lot of children shoppers looking for the most enjoyable shopping experience of their lives? I just find that statement a bit ironic.

Uptown kids is a high-end children’s store specializing in clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture for the elite of Oklahoma.

Wow, that makes me want to shop there. (sarcasm):Smiley099 Who decides if I am elite or not? Do I need to bring my tax return? My BMW is 2 years old, is that okay?

For some reason the shopping scene in Pretty Woman comes to mind.

Okay okay, I completely understand what is meant. Just saying that you might want to run that by a marketing/PR firm before saying things like that. The TRUELY elite don't think of themselves as elite.

Wow, that makes me want to shop there. (sarcasm):Smiley099 Who decides if I am elite or not? Do I need to bring my tax return? My BMW is 2 years old, is that okay?

For some reason the shopping scene in Pretty Woman comes to mind.

Okay okay, I completely understand what is meant. Just saying that you might want to run that by a marketing/PR firm before saying things like that. The TRUELY elite don't think of themselves as elite.

agreed

Uptown kids is a high-end children’s store specializing in clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture for the elite of Oklahoma. We carry only the most exclusive, fashion-forward, and trendy items desired. The shop is designed by (Rand Elliott) one of the most well acclaimed architects and interior designers in the midwest. Uptown kids will provide an atmosphere catering to mothers, grandmothers and children who are looking for the most enjoyable shopping experience of their lives.

This whole paragraph is really funny.

They should do a joint promotional offer with Upper Crust nearby.

Uptown kids is a high-end children’s store specializing in clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture for the elite of Oklahoma. We carry only the most exclusive, fashion-forward, and trendy items desired. The shop is designed by (Rand Elliott) one of the most well acclaimed architects and interior designers in the midwest. Uptown kids will provide an atmosphere catering to mothers, grandmothers and children who are looking for the most enjoyable shopping experience of their lives.

I just had flashbacks...

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/movie/large/Richie_Rich_(1995).jpg

Geez, cut the Uptown poster some slack - tuff crowd!

http://filmlangka.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/richierich1.jpg

On the other hand, it's sales tax for OKC that might have gone to Dallas, or internet sales. I have no need to shop there, but people will, and that's good for OKC.

Another Wal-Mart hater?

Wal-Mart is vomit inducing.

Wal-Mart is vomit inducing.

For all of the Wal-mart haters, Wal Mart seem to be doing quite well here.

Wonder how much the Wal-Mart Super Centers, Sams and Neighborhood Markets contribute to the OKC economy?

Wal-Mart leads to other development. Just look at Memorial and Penn. With the mall, there was a certain level there, but when the Wal-mart Super Center went in, that entire area just exploded. And if you prefer Target, that's fine, but it wasn't until Wal Mart built their Super Center that Target built theirs. Repeat that with just about everywhere they have built the Super Centers in OKC the past decade. Add all of the added retail into the mix, and you would probably be very surprised by the impact it has.

As far as Betts "massive, barren parking lot", you do realize that with Wal-mart, those parking lots are built that big to accommodate all of the customers they have?
Customers = money spent.
Money spent = sales tax revenue.
Sales tax revenue = support for City services and helps fund things like the Ford/NBA improvements, MAPS, MAPS for Kids, MAPS 3.....

My beef with Walmart is primarily that they build big ugly buildings and then abandon them when it's time to move up. Their parking lots are massive and ugly, and they make very little attempt at aesthetic appeal. They also drive mom and pop businesses out without much remorse. I realize it's hypocritical of me to get excited about Whole Foods when they essentially will do the same thing to Crescent Market, so I'll just stick with aesthetics. I hate the way their stores and parking lots look, and that's why I don't shop there. Other people are free to do so if they wish, obviously, but if I had anything to do with it, they'd be building differently.

Thats were the City can come into play...aesthetics can be changed (as evidenced by the changes they made McDonald's do in Bricktown). Think Edmond required some of that when they built the new one on I-35 (never been to it, just going by what I heard).

Exactly how do you make a parking lot "attractive", the City already has requirements on landscaping etc. Again, sounds like your beef really isn't with Wal-mart but the City's requirements and enforcement of the same. Targets parking lots look pretty much the same as does Lowes, Home Depot etc etc etc

And I know I am not going to convince anyone here that hates Wal-Mart to suddenly start shopping there. I just don't understand where the hatred comes from. If it is because Wal-mart puts smaller guys out of business? If that is the case, then as you mentioned, every "big" retailer should be in your sights too. Often it seems to be, peoples hatred/jealousy or whatever you want to call it, is directed at whichever entity is the biggest target. Wal-mart, McDonald's etc etc. In other words people don't seem to be as upset with Target or Burger King (but that would suddenly change if Wally World and Mickey D's were no longer at the top).

Very valid point about Wal-mart relocating on you. Some of that is mitigated as they turn their old properties into Neighborhood Markets and such. But there are a few former Wal-Marts across the Metro that remain empty. Some others the space has been taken over by others like Hobby Lobby.

Case in point is the Wal-mart on NW Expressway. When I moved back here in '85 it was @ Rockwell (was a Homeland & now a Hobby Lobby). Then they relocated it near MacArthur next to Albertsons (now an Incredible Pizza & Church) then they relocated it into 2 Super Centers, one at Belle Isle and the other at Council.

SW 74th has moved 3 times now. And I have lost count on how many times Wal-mart has relocated from one side of the interstate to the other in Norman (I-35 and Main). LOL

But keep in mind, their relocation is almost always spurred by growth. Again, overall that is a good thing when it comes to keeping those tax revenues flowing in.

You are right, the city is as responsible as Walmart. But, Walmart is as responsible as the city. Target manages to build more attractive stores and I'm sure that's a company policy, since they're both building in the same cities. I think Walmart should be putting more and larger medians in their parking lots, and putting trees in those medians, They need to think of themselves as part of the community, rather than simply being a means to suck money out of a community by sending it to Arkansas. Their buildings and parking lots are just like their merchandise: low budget and unaesthetic. I realize that low budget is good for people's wallets, but it's not good when we're trying to make our city a more attractive place to live. Walmart makes enough money that they could spend a little of it making their physical site more attractive.

So, I don't shop there. It's pretty much all I can do to send a silent protest.

I really haven't noticed that much difference between a Target parking lot and Wal-Mart but will make note of it the next time. Have seen trees etc at both. Of course the more medians and trees you have, the larger you have to make the parking lot to make up for the lost parking spaces...

Attractive stores (inside, outside, both?). Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, what specifically do you find attractive about Target and unattractive about Wal-mart? In other words if the sign on the front of the buildings flopped....

Since you don't shop there, how can you make any comments about their merchandise? Target sells much of the same type of stuff...cheaply made from foreign countries generally at a higher price. (Whenever I think Wal-mart is getting a little pricey, head over to Target and I quickly go back to Wal-mart). You might like the design of the bookcase better at one or the other, but both are cheap particle board.

Even though I prefer Wal-mart over Target, I don't hate Target because of it. Have a hard time understanding those that do.

Wal-mart and Buy for Less get most of my business mainly due to the fact they are open when I am shopping after I get off work @ 5 am.

There are examples of where Wal-mart has been required to add extensive landscaping, etc to their parking lots and modifications to their buildings ... see the Edmond store on I-35.

For all of the Wal-mart haters, Wal Mart seem to be doing quite well here.

Wonder how much the Wal-Mart Super Centers, Sams and Neighborhood Markets contribute to the OKC economy?

Wal-Mart leads to other development. Just look at Memorial and Penn. With the mall, there was a certain level there, but when the Wal-mart Super Center went in, that entire area just exploded. And if you prefer Target, that's fine, but it wasn't until Wal Mart built their Super Center that Target built theirs. Repeat that with just about everywhere they have built the Super Centers in OKC the past decade. Add all of the added retail into the mix, and you would probably be very surprised by the impact it has.

As far as Betts "massive, barren parking lot", you do realize that with Wal-mart, those parking lots are built that big to accommodate all of the customers they have?
Customers = money spent.
Money spent = sales tax revenue.
Sales tax revenue = support for City services and helps fund things like the Ford/NBA improvements, MAPS, MAPS for Kids, MAPS 3.....

Yeah, but you act as if there is no alternative to Walmart. Ever been to Minneapolis, Atlanta or other cities where Target is the predominant discount store? Only reason Target is more cautious in building stores in OKC metro is because Walmart pretty much owns the market and the City of OKC blindly let them do it low budget for so long. As betts said, Targets stores are noticeably nicer, and when they do expand/renovate, they tend to use the same location. I totally agree the City needs to still create higher design standards as well as corporate behemouths like Walmart need to take pride in their aesthetics. As others said, the two in Edmond are very nice, especially the one on I-35 (made the front look like a small town main street with lots of little faux facade buildings). Walmarts prices are about the same anywhere because they buy in massive quantities GLOBALLY, yet other places get the nicer stores, we get the crappy ones, and prices are about the same, yet we're absorbing some of the costs for the more expensive designed stores in other states. Time to have higher design standards like Edmond or better. Most of OKC besides the inner city is disposable architecture.

Wal-Mart (and most retailers) build to the minimum city requirements, so much of parking lot and building design can be directly related to the city standards in place. To expect them to go above and beyond is a bit optimistic when the bottom line is what matter 99% of the time.

Here in Austin you can "date" the different buildings by their designs, especially parking lots. I can't site plan a parking lot that is nothing but a slab of asphalt, we have to have a tree island wider than a parking space every 100 or so feet. City design standards can dictate materials and landscaping, we did an office building out on Southwest Parkway which was under a designated roadway under the "Hill Country Design Criteria", we could not use highly reflective glass, it had to be majority stone finish, etc. Now I don't like standards so restrictive that they completely dictate look and feel like some places but some need to be in place to raise the quality of development.

so when whole foods goes in and puts the smaller gourmet "mom and pop" stores out of business what will you say about whole foods?

so when whole foods goes in and puts the smaller gourmet "mom and pop" stores out of business what will you say about whole foods?

That it's a guilty pleasure. One could also say that it fills a niche currently unoccupied. Crescent Market is no Whole Foods, but unfortunately, once the elderly people who go there for the service aren't around any longer, it will probably be gone.

I drove by today and saw a sign for On A Whim. They are currently located on Western.

Yeah, but you act as if there is no alternative to Walmart. Ever been to Minneapolis, Atlanta or other cities where Target is the predominant discount store? Only reason Target is more cautious in building stores in OKC metro is because Walmart pretty much owns the market and the City of OKC blindly let them do it low budget for so long. As betts said, Targets stores are noticeably nicer, and when they do expand/renovate, they tend to use the same location. I totally agree the City needs to still create higher design standards as well as corporate behemouths like Walmart need to take pride in their aesthetics. As others said, the two in Edmond are very nice, especially the one on I-35 (made the front look like a small town main street with lots of little faux facade buildings). Walmarts prices are about the same anywhere because they buy in massive quantities GLOBALLY, yet other places get the nicer stores, we get the crappy ones, and prices are about the same, yet we're absorbing some of the costs for the more expensive designed stores in other states. Time to have higher design standards like Edmond or better. Most of OKC besides the inner city is disposable architecture.

I'm sorry, but I shop at both Walmart and Target Stores in several locations and don't find Target to be noticeably nicer in any respects. They seem very similar to me. Sometimes I prefer Target because they aren't as busy or hectic.

I'm sorry, but I shop at both Walmart and Target Stores in several locations and don't find Target to be noticeably nicer in any respects. They seem very similar to me. Sometimes I prefer Target because they aren't as busy or hectic.

That is my perspective as well. The differences are fairly minor. By no means an exhaustive case study of all Target/Wal-Marts, it was the most convenient one for side by side comparison on my way into work. Went by the Target/Wal-Mart Super Centers on Memorial/N. Penn and if I took a picture of the parking lots, it would be difficult to tell which was which.

Both have decent amount of perimeter landscaping and where Target gets the edge, they have flowering color added, where Wal-mart is just various shades of green). Another difference in the perimeter, Target doesn't have development (other businesses) in front of theirs, so you have an unobstructed view of their store (can anyone say SandRidge...LOL). The businesses fronting Wal-Marts perimeter have their own landscaping.

Both have islands at each end of each row of cars with trees, bushes, etc). Wal-Mart gets the edge here, because they have 2 more islands in each row where Target only has 1. So much for Betts wish that Wal-mart had more (at least here, they already do).

Building exteriors. Target gets the nod here with their brick facade. Wal-mart stucco/painted cinder block or whatever it is, is not quite as attractive.

Interior of the stores, its a draw. If you prefer less crowds, Target has the definite edge.

Again, shop wherever you want to shop. Just don't understand the hate.


Back to the subject at hand...Classen Curve

I drove by today and saw a sign for On A Whim. They are currently located on Western.

I wonder if this thing is going to start becoming synonymous for draining other (actual) urban areas of businesses?

I wonder if this thing is going to start becoming synonymous for draining other (actual) urban areas of businesses?

Count on you to put a positive spin on everything, Spartan.

I get to the bottom of things. Literally.

Spartan cannot be happy with anything in OKC because, you see, he's been to a city that has a Fossil store. Once you've seen a Fossil store, it's hard to go back. ;-)

Larry, Look at the Target in UNP in Norman, or the one in Town Center in MWC they are part of a mixed use development with outparcel sites. Heck the old one off SW 44th and Western has a Wendy's outparcel. Just because the 1 or 2 Targets you've been do are stand alone, doesn't mean they are against it. Again, look at Targets in the other states I mentioned, all you're mentioning is our local ones, which we already acknowledged are behind the national curve.

What is the deal with Wal-Marts in Oklahoma. All of the newer ones here in Jax (<5 years old) are very nice. Some are all brick, while others have really nice columns and arches and there are no blue or gray square buildings. Why the big difference?

What is the deal with Wal-Marts in Oklahoma. All of the newer ones here in Jax (<5 years old) are very nice. Some are all brick, while others have really nice columns and arches and there are no blue or gray square buildings. Why the big difference?

Probably because the city of Jax required it to be that way. The new store in Edmond is very nice looking because the City of Edmond made that happen.

Let's please get back on topic.

This thread is about Classen Curve.

Thanks.

Probably because the city of Jax required it to be that way. The new store in Edmond is very nice looking because the City of Edmond made that happen.

Then why is OKC letting ugly crap be built? We don't seem to be allowing it here in Jax and there 4 new Wal-Mart and 1 remodel within 6 miles of my home. All of them are very nice.

Because obviously, OKC is not Jax or Edmond. We have lower design standards and requirements of Walmart and/or other big-box retailers and design guidelines in general. It's sad.

But anyways, like Pete said. Back to topic. How is the Balliet's coming along? I want pictures of that space.

Just saying that you might want to run that by a marketing/PR firm before saying things like that.

I thought the same thing. Yikes. It almost looks like one of those fake Twitter PR accounts.

I know we already know On A Whim is locating to CC, but here's a new article from OKCBiz.

On a Whim specialty store to relocate to Classen Curve
Pamela A. Grady
6.03.2010

On a Whim. Photo/Shannon Cornman Gina Bennett and Debbie Trachtenberg, owners of On a Whim, 7118 N Western Ave., soon will relocate their specialty store to Classen Curve’s retail facility. Bennett said plans are for the retailer to open shop at 5850 N Classen Blvd. in early September, with a Sept. 16 grand opening celebration.

“We just had a gut feeling that it (Classen Curve) is the new up and coming place to be,” Bennett said. “We love the design, layout and location, and we love the concept that we could come into shell (space) and create the type of store that we want. It’s going to be eclectic and very cool.”

The 5,000-square-foot, single-level, open-space store is being designed by Richard R. Brown Associates Architects.

Known to carry some of the best lines in fashion design, tabletop, accessories, jewelry, gifts, gourmet foods, home decor, baby products and more, Bennett said the new facility will bring an even larger assortment of goods.

“We’re picking up a bunch of new fashion lines that we’ve been wanting, and we’re expanding into cosmetics and shoes,” she said. “We’re also picking up Herend China in our tabletop department. We carry so many lines in home decor.

“We are the No. 3 MacKenzie-Childs retailer in the United States, not just in Oklahoma. Neiman Marcus is No. 1. We’re the owners and also the buyers, and we choose the best of each category.”

The new location will expand hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“We are the No. 3 MacKenzie-Childs retailer in the United States, not just in Oklahoma. Neiman Marcus is No. 1. We’re the owners and also the buyers, and we choose the best of each category.”

I'm guessing you're highlighting this to emphasize the fact that shoppers in Oklahoma City can indeed compete with shoppers in other cities in terms of buying power. I think the long term success of Balliets, Gordon Stewart and Bebes are supportive of this fact as well.